“A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter” (Prov 11:13)
Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me’ ” (2 Sam 16:3). Saul’s servant Ziba took advantage of Mephibosheth’s lameness and came to meet King David in his exile, to get his favour. David had a soft corner for Mephibosheth, Saul’s son, in his heart. Now Ziba sowed poison there against Mephibosheth. If we have anything against anyone, we should sit and talk it over with her. What happens when we talk to someone else in her absence? We are stabbing a defenceless person in the back. If Mephibosheth had been there, he would have spoken up and brought out his side of the story which was later done.
How often this happens in our family. We talk about our spouse, children, grandchildren in their absence to our relatives. Thus we allow third persons to come between us, and the unity of family is shattered. A house divided against itself cannot stand. We backbite because we know if we talk about them in their presence, their side of the story will come up and we would be put to shame. Many times we don’t even realize we are committing a heinous sin when we backbite. Who will go to heaven? “He who does not backbite with his tongue” (Psa 15:1-3). Slanderers deserve death (Rom 1:30,32). Paul warned the Corinthian congregation about backbiting (2 Cor 12:20). This is a discipline every disciple of Christ should learn. We should never let down our spouse, children, grandchildren or others by exposing things about them unless we need help. That is one aspect of faithfulness.
The aftermath of backbiting may lead to anger if the bitten person comes to know about it (Prov 25:23). It can also lead to a lot of misunderstanding (Prov 26:20). This sin of the tongue must be severely dealt with. Today decide not to talk ill of a person in her absence. Find something good to speak about her. If there is nothing good, keep your dirty mouth shut, lest you become a fool in God’s sight (Prov 10:18).
A final word: If someone backbites someone to you, make sure to speak in defence of the absentee.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, 8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
“A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter” (Prov 11:13)
Ziba said to the king, “Indeed he is staying in Jerusalem, for he said, ‘Today the house of Israel will restore the kingdom of my father to me’ ” (2 Sam 16:3). Saul’s servant Ziba took advantage of Mephibosheth’s lameness and came to meet King David in his exile, to get his favour. David had a soft corner for Mephibosheth, Saul’s son, in his heart. Now Ziba sowed poison there against Mephibosheth. If we have anything against anyone, we should sit and talk it over with her. What happens when we talk to someone else in her absence? We are stabbing a defenceless person in the back. If Mephibosheth had been there, he would have spoken up and brought out his side of the story which was later done.
How often this happens in our family. We talk about our spouse, children, grandchildren in their absence to our relatives. Thus we allow third persons to come between us, and the unity of family is shattered. A house divided against itself cannot stand. We backbite because we know if we talk about them in their presence, their side of the story will come up and we would be put to shame. Many times we don’t even realize we are committing a heinous sin when we backbite. Who will go to heaven? “He who does not backbite with his tongue” (Psa 15:1-3). Slanderers deserve death (Rom 1:30,32). Paul warned the Corinthian congregation about backbiting (2 Cor 12:20). This is a discipline every disciple of Christ should learn. We should never let down our spouse, children, grandchildren or others by exposing things about them unless we need help. That is one aspect of faithfulness.
The aftermath of backbiting may lead to anger if the bitten person comes to know about it (Prov 25:23). It can also lead to a lot of misunderstanding (Prov 26:20). This sin of the tongue must be severely dealt with. Today decide not to talk ill of a person in her absence. Find something good to speak about her. If there is nothing good, keep your dirty mouth shut, lest you become a fool in God’s sight (Prov 10:18).
A final word: If someone backbites someone to you, make sure to speak in defence of the absentee.
Dr. Lilian Stanley
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91 9843511943
lilianstanley@gmail.com
Blessing Youth Mission
13 Church Colony
Vellore 632006, India
+91-416-2242943, +91-416-2248943
hq@bymonline.org
www.bymonline.org
Click here for more options
To buy books written by Dr. Lilian Stanley, kindly reach to us in the follwing address
Blessing Literature Centre
21/11 West Coovam River Road,
Chintadripet,
Chennai 600 002, India.
+91-44-28450411, Mob:8806270699
blc@bymonline.org
